Who swapped my usually pleasant 4 yr old for a monster with attitude ??

[Lilyloo]

Is this the needing to go to school thing ??

[dollius]

Is your 4-year-old a boy, perchance?

If so, I have been reliably informed that they have a massive surge of testosterone at this age.

My DS1 is currently on the rampage to KILL everyone, and likes to barge his brother (2) to the ground at high speed as often as possible.

It's like he's been possessed by wild animals.

[BananaFruitBat]

Whoever it was took mine as well.

[Lilyloo]

Actually it dd.
Everything is 'me being mean'!
She has an opinion on EVERYTHING!! And if it's not her way then god forbid ...

[dollius]

Oh well, there goes my theory...

[Spero]

I think it is just a being four thing. She's testing out her knowledge and confidence. Mine's been awful recently. Gets quite scarily angry if contradicted, about the weirdest things. Part of it must be testing my reaction, but she gets so wound up.

[Mamii]

Weird - only yesterday I had a chat with my normally very well behaved and very good at communicating 4 yr old DD about why she was feeling angry and shouting a lot recently.

She seemed a bit baffled by it too TBH.

Not that it's helped - she's still suffering from pre-adolecent PMT (or whatever the hell it is!)

[smee]

They're in charge apparently - according to DS(4)

[Lilyloo]

Smee i have to agree

[ilikeshoes]

My 4 year old is exactly the same, whats the best way to deal with it then do we just ignore the bad behaviour and praise the good?

Really did not think i would be going through this again it was bad enough when he was 2.

[smee]

I shout "I'm in charge", he shouts "No, I'm in charge" x 15/20, then I tickle him to submission. Seriously though, I haven't a clue. Though standing my ground and not losing it does seem to be the best approach here. Also it's always worse when he's tired, so trying to head him off at the pass when he's exhausted avoids some of it.